The Sport and Spine Institute

The Sport and Spine Institute located at 15 Moss Creek Village in Hilton Head, SC was founded by Hilton Head Island's leading health care professionals who recognized a gap in services where patients could receive high quality, all-in-one orthopaedic health care catering to athletic injuries, musculoskeletal disorders and spinal problems. The Sport and Spine Institute fulfills the need for Bluffton, Hilton Head and surrounding areas.

Charles J. Nivens MD

Charles J. Nivens MD, PA

My specialty is Spine Medicine. My training consisted of completing Medical School in 1994 at the Medical College of Georgia. I then began my residency training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Medical University of South Carolina. During this time, I was appointed Chief Resident of the Department for one year. After residency, I began a six-month Fellowship in Conservative Spine Medicine at Carolina Spine Institute. I was in practice with Carolina Spine Institute for approximately one year after my Fellowship and have since opened my private practice. I see patients in Bluffton, Hilton Head, and Hampton.

The type of patients that I follow consists of anyone with acute or chronic spine pain, arm or leg pain, numbness or weakness. My philosophy is to manage patients conservatively with Fluoroscopically Guided Injections using fluoroscopy (X-ray guided) and dye (To make sure of where the injection is going). This ensures 100% accuracy for all procedures. The ultimate goal is to keep the patient from having a surgical intervention when possible. The diagnoses that I typically follow are spinal stenosis, compression fractures, herniated or bulging discs, scoliosis, spondylosis (Arthritis of the spine), and spondylolisthesis (Slippage of bones within the spine). I am also trained in Electromyography-EMG and Nerve Conduction Studies-NCS. These are tests that evaluate nerves and muscles by using electricity. Physical therapy is an integral part of my treatment; from this patients learn how to keep their spines healthy. I also read all of my own MRI’s and X-Rays which we have on site. This allows me to be absolutely sure where and what the problem is, so that I may treat the problem accurately. If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask.

J. Robert Gavin JR.,M.D.

Gavin Orthopaedics

J. Robert Gavin JR., MD. at the Sport and Spine institute, Hilton Head, SC is recognized as a board certified orthopaedic surgeon for over 20 years, committed to providing innovative and compassionate orthopaedic care-specializing in joint surgery and sports medicine, including advanced shoulder and knee arthroscopy. He is recognized as a Healthgrades Honor Roll physician.

After graduating from Georgetown University School of Medicine, Dr. Gavin was accepted into the highly competitive St. Lukes/Roosevelt Orthopaedic program in Manhatten, where he received the distinction of Chief Resident. For over 7 years, Dr. Gavin has been on staff at Hilton Head Hospital as well as the Outpatient Surgery Center of Hilton Head Island. Prior to that, Dr. Gavin was in private practice for over 10 years in NE Pennsylvania and board certified since 1992.

Find more information about J. Robert Gavin JR., MD. at the Gavin Orthopaedics website www.gavinortho.com

There is Great Strength in Flexibility

It's the end of a long day, which means Dr. Robert Gavin, Jr. is just
moments away from hearing what he calls "the best sound in the
world." Gavin loves what he does, and as an orthopedic surgeon with
more than 20 years of experience he's...

Nicholas E. Mihelic MD

Nicholas E. Mihelic MD

Dr. Nick MIhelic received his undergraduate and medical degrees from Pennsylvania State University . He completed his surgical internship and residency at the University of Connecticut and completed his orthopaedic residency at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center of Pennsylvania State University.

Certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, he holds the membership in many professional societies, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Southern Orthopaedic Associates, South Carolina Orthopaedic Association, Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Society, South Carolina Medical Association, Pennsylvania Medical Society, and the American Medical Association

Dr. Mihelic is active in alumni affairs and serves as president of the alumni board of directors for the Penn State College of Medicine. He also serves on the Board of Visitors of Penn State's Hershey Medical Center.

Dr. Mihelic and staff strive to treat our patients with compassion, care and concern, using the most up-to-date Orthopedic knowledge and surgical techniques in order to assist them in returning to or even better than their pre-injury or orthopedic problem status. Dr. Mihelic specializes in orthopaedic surgery and sports medicine emphasizing arthroscopy and joint replacement. We now offer not only personalized knee replacements, but completely customized knee replacements that match your own natural bone exactly.

Dr. Mihelic and his wife, Pam, have two daughters. During his free time he enjoys golfing, boating, and motor sports.

Paul M. Long MD

Medical Director Hyperbarics / Heritage Medical Partners

The term “Internal Medicine” comes from the German term Innere Medizin, a discipline popularized in Germany in the late 1800s to describe physicians who combine the science of the laboratory with the care of patients.
Internal medicine physicians are specialists who apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to the diagnosis, treatment, and compassionate care of adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness. Dr. Paul Long is dedicated to preventing, diagnosing and treating diseases that affect adults.

Dr. Long often coordinates his patients care and manages the oftentimes difficult medical problems associated with that care. Compassion and availability are hallmarks of Dr. Long and his staff, providing high-quality, personalized care. Dr. Long and his staff will work closely with you to help you have a thorough understanding of your health and your options.

As the President of Heritage Medical Partners located at 460 William Hilton Parkway, Dr. Long has the availability of clinical labs on site as well as the state of the art MRI and digital Xray of the SSI at 15 Moss Creek Village for the most efficient and accurate diagnosing tools. As well as the recipient of numerous awards, Dr. Long is a Healthgrades Recognized physician and the Medical Director of Hyperbarics of Hilton Head.

Education:

Dr. Long's education includes:

Medical School: University of Health Sciences, The Chicago Medical School

Internship:Tuscon Hospital's Medical Education Program

Residency: Tuscon Hospital's Medical Education Program

Board Certified: Internal Medicine

Fellowship: Diplomat National Board of Medical Examiners 1976

Insurance:
Most major insurance plans accepted

Jeffery M. Reuben MD

Spine Institute of the Carolinas

Dr. Reuben is a board-certified, fellowship trained spine surgeon. He graduated summa cum laude from Washington University in St. Louis before attending The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He completed his orthopedic residency at the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Medicine and additional training in spine surgery at The Emory Spine Center.

Dr. Reuben is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and is an active member of the North American Spine Society as well as the South Carolina Spine Society. He has traveled both the state and the nation educating physicians on the latest advancements in spinal medicine and enjoys the opportunity to increase people's understanding of the complicated issues that surround caring for the back. He has also participated in the development of new technology being used across the country in spinal surgery.

Although originally from Chicago, Dr. Reuben enjoys the warmer climate and quality of life in Beaufort where he and his family have lived for the past ten years. He has truly adapted to the Lowcountry lifestyle spending his weekends shrimping, golfing and boating with his family and friends.

K. Craig Boatright MD

Spine Institute of the Carolinas

Dr. Boatright is a board-certified, fellowship-trained spine surgeon. After graduating magna cum laude from Emory University in Atlanta, he was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship for study at Oxford University in England. Upon returning from England, he attended Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts where he received his medical degree. He completed his orthopedic residency at the University of Washington Medical School in Seattle and then returned to Emory University for further training in spinal surgery. There he completed a fellowship at the Emory Spine Center.

Dr. Boatright is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and an active member of the North American Spine Society as well as the South Carolina Spine Society. He has authored multiple book chapters on the use of molecular technology to generate bone for spinal fusion.

Dr. Boatright's clinical interests include all aspects of care for disorders of the spine. He has special interests in treatment of degenerative and traumatic conditions of the cervical spine, spinal tumors, and spinal deformities. He utilizes the full spectrum of non-operative therapies available prior to surgical intervention. When clearly indicated, Dr. Boatright employs exciting advances in surgical care of the spine that have recently made intervention more effective.

Matthew Clark MSPT, MBA, ATC

Horizon Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine

Matt has lived in Hilton Head for the past 10 years, after moving from Pittsburgh, PA. He has earned a BS in Health Science from Lock Haven University, a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Armstrong Atlantic State University, and a MBA from Frederick Taylor University. Matt is both a licensed physical therapist and a certified athletic trainer, and has had a wide variety of clinical experiences with the vast majority of his experience in the outpatient environment. Aside from work, Matt is a dedicated father to his two girls and stays active with running, golf and basketball.